It is with great sadness that I have heard of the death of Pat Hume. In her death the city and indeed our country has returned to God an extraordinary person. She was small in stature but a colossus at a very difficult time in the history of this island. She was the rock behind the man who rightly has been credited as the architect of our current peace.
In the course of that long and challenging journey towards the peace we enjoy today Pat was brave, courageous and uncompromising, yet she was always gentle and profound in respect for other people and their opinions.
In the gospel Jesus reminds us that “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God” (Mt 5:9) I pray that Pat may now enjoy the fullness of this beatitude.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis.
+Donal McKeown
Bishop of Derry
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